Interesting video on the brimstone found at Sodom and Gomorrah, and its relevance to the things of the end:
https://www.facebook.com/imsoblesseddaily/videos/552457461585049/
Letters to the Seven Churches
This week in the Endnotes, I have been posting detail, references, and pictures, where I could find them, about the seven churches to whom the letters were addressed. This week it was Laodicea, Philadelphia, and Smyrna, with a discussion on what was meant by the phrase, ‘the synagogue of Satan.’
Synagogue of Satan Insight Discovered
I had said that I wasn’t sure if anyone knew what John meant when he referred to the Synagogue of Satan in the letter to the church at Smyrna (Rev 2, pg. 12 in the book). But, it turns out someone no less than Isaac Newton had an opinion on the matter:
“The authority of Emperors, Kings, and Princes, is human. The authority of Councils, Synods, Bishops, and Presbyters, is human. The authority of the Prophets is divine, and comprehends the sum of religion, reckoning Moses and the Apostles among the Prophets; and if an Angel from Heaven preach any other gospel, than what they have delivered, let him be accursed. Their writings contain the covenant between God and his people, with instructions for keeping this covenant; instances of God’s judgments upon them that break it: and predictions of things to come. While the people of God keep the covenant, they continue to be his people: when they break it they cease to be his people or church, and become the Synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not. And no power on earth is authorized to alter this covenant.”
Isaac Newton, Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John, Chapter 1, published 1733.
Isaac Newton on the Apocalypse
Consider also the designe of the Apocalyps. Was it not given for the use of the Church to guide & direct her in the right way, And is not this the end of all prophetick Scripture? If there was no need of it, or if it cannot be understood, then why did God give it? Does he trifle? But if it was necessary for the Church then why doest thou neglect it, or how knowest thou that thou art in the right way, and yet doest not understand it?
Sir Isaac Newton, Untitled Treatise on Revelation, Section 1